Russian invasion of Ukraine: tanks and rocket attacks on the cities. Breaking news

The “Poruch” project on psychological support for teenagers and parents whose lives are broken by the war, is launched in Ukraine. Ministry of Culture and Science informs.

The enemy has barely any ability to advance everywhere on the Ukrainian territory, resorting only to tactical actions and accumulating reserves, which are being frayed by the crippling blows of our missile forces, artillery, and aircraft, advisor to the Head of the Office of the President Oleksii Arestovych said during the briefing.

Russian military combat tries to hide real losses, and those “200th” are compensated so called “homeguardsmen” from “L/DNR”. Mobilization at the occupied territories looks like simple “catch”. And those “non shot rookies” forwarded to the front reminds destruction on purpose. All the intercepted by AFU conversations of the occupiers prove this.

Security Service of Ukraine has intercepted Kadyrov militants’ calls. An invader tells his wife that Ukrainian artillery is shelling them day and night.

“Ivan Vyhovskyi 58th Independent Motorized Infantry Brigade reports: an enemy BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle has been thoroughly pounded into the Ukrainian fertile soil,” the Ministry of Defence wrote.

A blown up russian GRADS “Tor M1”.

“Day by day, Ukrainian service members deliver crushing blows to Russian invaders. Every hour, they are fulfilling the objectives set before them. Every minute, our warriors bring us closer to the victory!” Mariupol Independent Motorized Infantry Brigade.

The equipment fleet of the resistance forces in the Novhorod-Siverskyi direction has got a new addition—an enemy 2S19 Msta-S complete with ammunition. Another was destroyed in the battlefield, North Operative Command reports.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine informs about the queues on the Ukrainian border as of noon on 21 March:

Poland:

- Yahodyn, Ustyluh, Uhryniv, Rava-Ruska, Hrushiv, Shehyni, Smonytsia: 0 light motor vehicles, 0 buses, 0 pedestrians -

Krakovets: 0 light motor vehicles, 0 buses, 40 pedestrians

Slovakia: no queues

Hungary: no queues

Romania: no queues

Moldova: no queues

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have captured another tank in the Kyiv Region. “The boys will have to patch it up a little because the armour was scratched here and there when we took it,” General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs.

The invaders are expanding the age limit for their "mobilization" in the occupied districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Another "mobilization" has been announced on the territory of the Donetsk Region. To increase the number of potential "conscripts", the occupiers have increased the "reservist" age limit from 55 to 65. Rumours and panic due to heavy manpower losses are spreading among the invaders' military personnel, the Ministry of Defence informs.

As of 11:40 AM, the fire that broke out in a Podil District mall on 20 March because of shelling has been extinguished. Eight people were killed and one injured. Rescue activities are underway, with 28 people and 2 units of equipment working at the site, State Emergency Service of Ukraine reports.

The Vovchansk humanitarian convoy drivers detained by the occupiers yesterday have returned, Deputy Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Roman Semenukha informs.

“We saw THEM through the crack”: how people lead their lives in the occupied village in Brovary District. (you can use browser tools for translating web pages).

A message from the Ukrainian MoD Oleksii Reznikov:

“The defenders of Mariupol have played a crucial role in thwarting the enemy’s plans and making our defence more active. Thousands of lives have been saved all over Ukraine owing to their selflessness and superhuman valour. Today, Mariupol is saving Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Everyone must understand that.

The residents of Kherson, Enerhodar, and other cities going on unarmed protests against the Russian occupiers demonstrate that Ukrainian people’s will is indomitable, and the enemy will be better off just leaving.”

The curfew in Kyiv and Kyiv Region will start at 8 PM today and end at 7 AM on 23 March (the day after tomorrow), Vitali Klitschko warns. 

"Another extended curfew will be imposed in Kyiv and Kyiv Region.

It will start at 8 PM today and last until 7 AM on 23 March, the day after tomorrow.

All shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, and institutions will close for tomorrow.

Therefore, I urge everyone to stay home or in shelters in case of an air raid alarm.

Only the transport with special permits is allowed to move around the city.

Please, follow the rules of martial law. Believe in our Armed Forces!

Together we will endure! Glory to Ukraine!"

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the German citizens.

A number of Azeri online publications telling the truth about the Russo-Ukrainian war have been blocked in the Russian Federation, the Embassy of Ukraine in Azerbaijan informs.

Eight people died as a result of the Russian night shelling in the Podilskyi district of Kyiv. The city Prosecutor Office has launched an investigation.

Russia's military losses on March 21.

General Sir Richard Lawson Barrons, a retired Commander Joint Forces Command, expects, that in case Russia succeeds in setting a trench and moving to a permanent defence, its troops will attack Ukrainian supply lines and transport logistics. He also expects those territories and cities that are considered key by Russia to suffer intensified shelling.

Barrons believes that the next big goal of the Kremlin will be Odesa, as its capture isolates Ukraine's economy from trade routes across the Black Sea (BBC).

The British intelligence believes that Kyiv remains Russia’s primary military objective.

Heavy fighting continues north of Kyiv. Occupiers are likely to prioritize attempting to encircle the city. Russian forces advancing on the city from the north-east have stalled. Forces advancing from the direction of Hostomel to the north-west have been repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The bulk of Russian forces remain more than 25 kilometers from the center of the city.

Plans of humanitarian corridors open March 21, 2022: 8 humanitarian corridors are agreed for today

DONETSK REGION  

- to evacuate people from Mariupol to Zaporizhzia, the following routs will be open:

1.Berdiansk – Zaporizhzia. The place of gathering is a sport complex at the address Melitopolske highway, 27

2. Mangush community – Zaporizhzhia. The place of gathering is Yurjivka village Melekyne Village Council, the pension “Zmina”.

3. Nikopol – Zaporizhzhia. The place of gathering is school #2, 23, Parkova Str.

Buses left Zaporizhzhia one hour ago. 

In Berdiansk they continue to fuel private cars of Mariupol citizens who follow the route.

Address for refuel: 4a, Shidnyi Ave., and 87b, Melotopolsjke Highway

KYIV REGION  

- from Velyka Dymerka village to Brovary. The place of gathering is the building of Village Council at 1, Bobrytska Street. Buses for evacuation will be sent from Brovary.  

- from Vorzelj village to Bilogorodka village. The place of gathering is 13, Sadova Str. Buses for evacuation will be sent from Bilogorodka.  

- from Bucha to Bilogorodka village. The place of gathering is 12, Energetykiv Str. Buses for evacuation will be sent from Bilogorodka.  

- from Kozarovychy village to Vyshgorod.  The place of gathering is a training center of Central Police Department. Buses for evacuation will be sent from Vyshgorod.

LUGANSK REGION  

- from Lysychansk town to Bahmut town. The place of gathering is the building of State Emergency Service of Ukraine at the address 324, Sosyury Str.  

- from Severodonetsk to Bahmut. The place of gathering is a culture building at the address 28, Hymikiv Str.  

from Girsjke town to Bahmut town. The place of gathering is a cultura building 42, Pershotravneva Str. and 136, Myru Str.

Buses for evacuation and humanitarian help will be sent from Bahmut town.

Iryna Vereschuk on the planned evacuation corridors for today.

The result of yesterday's missile strike to Kyiv.

How to get into the International legion of territorial defense of Ukraine, which countries are represented there mostly, and how the foreigners should prepare for it, in our material “40 000 applications from the whole world. How the Ukrainian International legion is organized” (you can use browser tools for translating web pages).

The State Emergency Service reports that the ammonia leak at Sumykhimprom Plant has been eliminated, routine maintenance is underway at the enterprise.

European Union countries discuss a possibility to include the oil embargo to the 5th package of sanctions against russia, as the previous four ones did not make Kremlin close the aggression in Ukraine. This is mostly insisted by Baltic countries, at the same time, Germany is against the embargo arguing this would stimulate prices for energy carriers. (Reuters)

At night the russians stroke twice with missiles to the providing ground in Rivne region, Head of RSA Vitaliy Koval informed.

Ammonia leakage at the Sumy chemical production company Sumychimprom happened because of the shelling by the russian troops, which damaged one of the reservoirs with ammonia, State Emergency Service of Ukraine informs. Also, the pipeline under reconstruction. The saviors continue works on the chemical cloud deposition. At 7:30 a.m. one of the production company workers is injured.

Russian bankers Myhail Fridman, Petro Aven and German Han refused from their law sue against the investigation company Fusion GP which stated in its analytics that those businessmen were in Vladimir Putin’s communication circle and helped Kremlin to interfere into the US elections 2016. The rejection on the law sue may be connected to the sanctions implemented against them and their business in USA (Politico).

The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern informed that the country was sending additional 3,5 mln usd to the NATO fund which provides fuel, communication equipment and products of individual medical care for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (BBC).

The situation and the nature of the actions of the defense forces have not changed significantly over the past day, the General Staff reports.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine and other subdivisions of the Defense Forces continue to strike at enemy troops who are trying to hold the captured lines. At the same time, there is a decrease in the intensity of the use of manned aircraft by the enemy.

During the previous day, 7 enemy air targets were hit (1 aircraft, 4 UAVs and 2 cruise missiles). In addition, bomber and ground attack aircraft inflicted crushing blows on enemy equipment and manpower.

The invaders continue to terrorize the local population and loot in the temporarily occupied territories. There are repeated cases of deployment by Russian invaders of personnel, weapons and equipment at civilian infrastructure facilities.

Turkey is making active efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu  said. He believes that first a humanitarian truce should be secured, and then a long-term ceasefire should be established (Anadolu).

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, from 4 a.m. February 24, 2022, to 00:00 a.m. March 19, 2022, Russian invasion forces have killed over 900 Ukrainian civilians and injured nearly 1,500. This was reported in a UN report as of March 20.

According to the data, the majority of civilian deaths and injuries were caused by shelling with heavy artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, and the use of weapons with wide-area effects.

Finland is ready to accept more Ukrainian refugees. This was stated by Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin, YLE reports.

According to the Prime Minister, the country's authorities are ready to accommodate Ukrainians in comfortable conditions, provide them with the right to work, as well as the opportunity for children to attend school or kindergarten.

Marin stressed that so far Finland has not taken many Ukrainians who have fled from the war. There are many more refugees in neighboring countries. According to the migration service as of March 18, 7,916 Ukrainians applied to Finland for protection.

As a result of a shelling by the Russian invasion troops in a residential area in the Svyatoshinskyy district of Kiev, six people were injured, two of them were hospitalized. This was reported by the Kyiv City State Administration.

It is specified that two houses were significantly damaged, another six had their windows blown out by the blast wave. Also the premises of two schools and two kindergartens were damaged. More than 200 people were evacuated.

US President Joe Biden may discuss during his visit to Poland on 25 March the introduction of peacekeepers on the territory of Ukraine, as the Polish officials said they were going to officially submit to NATO a proposal for a NATO peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfried said this, according to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations website.

"What I can say is American troops will not be on the ground in Ukraine at this moment. The President has been clear on that, and other NATO countries may decide that they want to put troops inside of Ukraine. That will be a decision that they have to make," the ambassador said.

According to specified information from the head of the Sumy Regional State Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy, at the moment the affected area is about 2.5 km.

The village of Novoselytsya is under the threat. Emergency teams of the plant and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine are working at the site.

The head of the Regional State Administration stressed that there is no threat for Sumy yet, as the wind is directed in the opposite direction from the city.

On March 21 at 4:30 there was an ammonia leak at Sumykhimprom. The affected area is about 5 km. This is reported by the head of the Sumy Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy.

The State Emergency Service confirmed information on the number of victims of the Russian invaders' air strike in the Podilskyi district of Kyiv.

"Four people were killed on the spot and one person was injured. The information is being clarified," they said on Facebook.

As of 2:18 on March 21, the fire was localized in the area of 1,500 square meters, the State Emergency Service noted. The fight against the fire continues.

Yesterday, March 20, Russian occupation troops continued to launch missile and bomb attacks on Ukrainian territory and actively use air strikes, attacking civilians. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after 25 days of war.

The enemy was unable to carry out plans to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, surround Kyiv and establish control over the left-bank part of Ukraine.

"The enemy partially succeeded in achieving the goal in the Donetsk operational area and in holding the land corridor in the southern part of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions," the report said.

The situation in the directions:

In the Volyn direction, there is a high probability of provocations by Russia's special services to draw Belarus into the war with Ukraine.

There was no offensive in the Polissia direction. The enemy is strengthening and preparing for an offensive against Kyiv. In some directions the Armed Forces of Ukraine blocked the invaders.

In the Siverskyy direction, the invaders keep regrouping, unable to organize logistics to provide units.

In the Slobozhanskyy direction there was no offensive, but the invaders are secretly preparing for it.

In the Donetsk and Luhansk directions the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled seven attacks of the enemy, destroyed 12 tanks, nine infantry fighting vehicles, three autos, about 170 occupants. Anti-aircraft units shot down one enemy Su-34 and one helicopter of the invaders. The enemy continues air strikes against civilians in Mariupol, as well as against the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works.

On the Tavrian direction, the invaders are preventing pro-Ukrainian rallies in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and are trying to establish their authority in localities.

Poland intends to confiscate Russian property, which is located on the Polish territory. This was stated by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in an interview with Wprost.

According to the Prime Minister, there is now a constitutional restriction on such actions in Poland. The Sejm can make a decision.

"On the one hand, we have constitutional restrictions on such actions related to property rights, and on the other hand, more and more Poles do not understand why, if the Italians confiscate yachts of Russian oligarchs, we cannot carry out such actions in our country. We want to implement this through the Sejm and decided that the opposition should be involved in this process," he stressed.

In the Lviv region, several church communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate have become subordinated to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This was reported by the Lviv-Sokal eparchy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The parish of Chervonohrad, as well as the male monastery of Lviv left the Moscow Patriarchate. The decision was approved by Metropolitan Dmytro of Lviv and Sokal.

In Chernihiv region, Ukrainian military members destroyed two invaders' KAMAZs with ammunition and provisions. The photo was published on Facebook by the Operational Command North.

The White House has announced a possible expansion of a package of sanctions against Russia for its new invasion of Ukraine. They could affect more banks and unaffected sectors of the oil and gas economy, Daleep Singh, deputy director of the National Economic Council of the White House, told CBS.

"We could broaden our sanctions. So - take the measures, take the sanctions they've already applied, apply them in more targets," he said.

The blockade of the Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is likely to exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, British Ministry of Defense writes of Twitter.

This way Russia prevents vital supplies reaching the Ukrainian population.

In Okhtyrka district, a missile of the Russian invaders hit the civilians' yard. The video was published on Telegram by the head of the Sumy Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy.

The advisor to the mayor of Mariupol Petro Andriushchenko said that the local government refuses to surrender the city to the enemy and side with the Russian invaders.

"They say the Russians are proposing the mayor's office to side with Russia. They gave us time until morning to give them our answer. Why wait for so long when the answer is ready? You get f*cked, but won’t get Mariupol," he wrote on Facebook.

Three Belarusian banks have been excluded from SWIFT since 20 March, the Belarusian media outlet Pohliad wrote on Telegram.

These are the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, Belagroprombank, and Bank Dabrabyt. This was a result of sanctions imposed by the European Union.